Polymers derived from poly(arylcyclobutenes)

ABSTRACT

The invention is a polymeric composition which comprises the reaction product prepared by exposing one or more poly(arylcyclobutenes) which comprise aryl moieties with one or more cyclobutene rings fused to each aryl moiety, wherein the aryl moieties are directly bonded to one another or are connected by a bridging member wherein the bridging member is (1) a polyvalent inorganic radical or (2) a polyvalent organic radical, to temperatures at which the poly(arylcyclobutenes) undergo polymerization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to novel polymers derived frompoly(arylcyclobutene) monomers.

The polymeric compositions of this invention are useful in films, asmolded articles, in coatings, as adhesives, and in composites.

In recent years the search for high-performance materials, especiallyhigh-temperature-resistance polymers, has gained momentum. In order fora material to be useful at high temperatures, it must fulfill severalrequirements including a high melting or softening temperature, a highmodulus or rigidity at elevated temperature, a resistance to solvent andchemical degradation, and toughness. The intrinsic thermal and oxidativestability of aromatic structures has long been recognized, and a varietyof polymers have been made in which benzene rings are linked together byvarious connecting groups. Among the more stable aromatic polymers thatfulfill the requirements of high-temperature resistance are thepolybenzimidazoles, the polybenzoxazoles, polyimides, and somepolyamides, such as the polyaramides. Of these polymers, the polyimideshave had the most interest.

The major difficulty encountered in the commercial development of thesematerials is that they are usually obtained in the form of a powderwhich cannot be readily fabricated into useful objects.

The polyimides prepared from aliphatic diamines and aromaticdianhydrides are generally soluble and thermoplastic. Aliphaticpolyimides have been prepared from bis(dienophiles) and a diene such asa bis-diene. In many cases, such reactions proceed with the evolution ofgases and other volatile components.

Aromatic polyimides, such as polypyromellitimides, have a spectrum ofsuperior properties. These polyimides may be prepared by the reaction ofan aromatic dianhydride with an aromatic diamine to give a solublepolyamic acid, which on cyclodehydration gives the insoluble desiredproduct.

High performance plastics reduce the weight of mechanical components,and not just by virtue of their densities. Their high performanceproperties allow greater design stresses, and often elements can bedownsized accordingly. In recent years, aromatic polyimides have becomewidely accepted as premium, high performance engineering plastics. Theseresins are well known for having excellent properties at elevatedtemperatures (i.e., chemical resistance and mechanical strength) but arealso costly. Historically, polyimide resins are difficult to fabricateinto objects other than fiber and films. The most common methods ofmanufacturing parts having high strength and temperature properties arehot compression-molding, machining from hot-compression, and molded orextruded rod). Given the synthetic and fabrication difficulties, a newroute to polyimides and other high performance plastics is desirable.

Many thermally polymerizable compounds are prepared from monomers whichhave a poor shelf-life and are unstable in the presence of oxygen oroxygen-containing gases. Further, many processes for the polymerizationof thermally polymerizable compounds result in the generation ofvolatile components, which can create problems in the product such asthe creation of voids in molded articles. Further, the removal of suchvolatile by-products can create problems. Also, many of suchpolymerization processes require the use of curing agents, initiators orcatalysts. The use of such curing agents, initiators or catalysts oftenresults in polymers which contain impurities which may effect the finalproperties.

Polymers which polymerize through thermal mechanisms; wherein suchmechanisms which do not require the use of catalysts, initiators orcuring agents; and which do not form volatile by-products, are needed.Polymers derived from monomers which polymerize by thermal mechanisms,wherein such monomers have a good stability, shelf-life, and are stablein the presence of oxygen, are desirable. Polymers formed by thermalpolymerization mechanisms, with a good modulus, which are thermallystable, which have low water pickup, are reasonably hard and areinsoluble, are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a polymeric composition which comprises the reactionproduct prepared by exposing one or more poly(arylcyclobutenes) whichcomprise two or more aryl moieties with one or more cyclobutene ringsfused to each aryl moiety, wherein the aryl moieties are directly bondedto one another or are connected by a bridging member wherein thebridging member is (1) a polyvalent inorganic radical or (2) apolyvalent organic radical, to temperatures at which thepoly(arylcyclobutenes) undergo polymerization.

The novel polymeric compositions can be prepared by heating the monomersto a temperature at which such monomers polymerize. These monomers uponheating to the appropriate temperature undergo a polymerization in whichno volatiles are generated, wherein there is no need for a catalyst,curing agent or initiator. The monomers these polymeric compositions areprepared from have a surprisingly good shelf-life and stability tooxygen-containing gases. The polymeric compositions have a good modulus,are thermally stable, have a low water pickup, are reasonably hard andinsoluble.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The polymeric composition of this invention is the thermal reactionproduct of poly(arylcyclobutenes). Such polymeric compositions areprepared by exposing the poly(arylcyclobutenes) to temperatures at whichthe poly(arylcyclobutenes) undergo polymerizations.Poly(arylcyclobutene) refers herein to a compound containing 2 or morearylcyclobutene moieties connected either by a direct bond or bridgingmember. An arylcyclobutene moiety refers herein to an aryl group whichcontains one or more cyclobutene rings fused to the aromatic rings. Arylrefers herein to any aromatic moiety. Preferred aromatic moietiesinclude benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, a biaryl moiety,or 2 or more aromatic radicals bridged by alkylene or cycloalkylenemoieties. More preferred aromatic radicals are benzene, naphthalene,biphenyl, binaphthyl, diphenyl alkane or diphenyl cycloalkane radicals.The most preferred aromatic radical is a benzene radical.

Reference to one or more poly(arylcyclobutenes) means one or morespecies of poly(arylcyclobutenes). Within the scope of this inventionare the polymeric reaction products of two or more species ofpoly(arylcyclobutenes). It is believed that, in those embodimentswherein the polymerization temperatures of the different species ofpoly(arylcyclobutenes) are relatively close, the reaction product willgenerally be a copolymer of the different species ofpoly(arylcyclobutenes). It is further believed that, in thoseembodiments wherein the polymerization temperatures of the species arerelatively far apart, the reaction product generally will comprise ablend of the homopolymers of the species of monomers.

The aryl radical and cyclobutene ring may be substituted with a varietyof substituents. Such substituents may be electron-donating orelectron-withdrawing groups. Examples of such substituents includecyano, halo, carboxy, hydrocarbyloxy, carbonyl, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, amino, amido, or aryl groups.

The arylcyclobutene moieties are connected herein by a direct bond orbridging member. Bridging members comprise (1) a polyvalent inorganicmoiety, or (2) a polyvalent organic moiety. The bridging member ordirect bond connects the arylcyclobutene moieties through the arylradical.

Polyvalent inorganic moiety refers to any inorganic moiety which iscapable of bonding to 2 or more aryl radicals. Such polyvalent inorganicmoieties can be covalently or ionically bonded to the aromatic radical.Examples of polyvalent inorganic moieties include oxygen, phosphorus,phosphorus oxide, sulfur, nitrogen, polysiloxanes, polyvalent metals,sulfoxide, sulfone, a polyvalent metal bound to a polyvalent oxygenatedmoiety wherein the polyvalent oxygenated moiety can be further bound toan aryl radical (for example, a polyvalent carboxylate salt). Preferredpolyvalent inorganic moieties include oxygen, sulfur, polysiloxanes, andpolyvalent metals bound to polyvalent oxygenated moieties.

Polyvalent organic bridging member refers to any organic moiety whichcan link 2 or more aryl radicals. Preferably, the polyvalent organicbridging member is a hydrocarbon poly-yl, a heteroatom-containinghydrocarbon poly-yl, a hydrocarbon poly-yl which is bonded tofunctionalized linking groups, or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbonpoly-yl which is bonded to 2 or more linking groups which is bonded tofunctionalized linking groups. Hydrocarbon poly-yl is a hydrocarbonmoiety which is bonded to 2 or more arylcyclobutenes or 2 or morelinking groups. A heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon poly-yl is ahydrocarbon poly-yl which may further contain one or more of theheteroatoms comprising oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorus. Includedwithin the term hydrocarbon are any organic radicals containing carbonand hydrogen atoms. Hydrocarbons include the following organic radicals:alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes, aromaticradicals, wherein aromatic is as defined hereinbefore, alkyl-substitutedaromatic radicals, aryl-substituted aliphatic radicals, andalkenear-poly-yl.

Linking group refers herein to any group which is capable of linking ahydrocarbon radical to an aryl radical. Linking groups include oxygen,sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, nitrogen, phosphorus, phosphorus oxide,oxycarbonyl, amido, carbonyl, carbonyldioxy, cyclic amido,carboxamidooxy, ureylene, carbonyloxycarbonyl, ammonium carboxylate saltand imido. Preferred linking groups are oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen,carbonyloxy, amido, carbonyldioxy, and cyclic amido. More preferredlinking groups are carbonyloxy and amido.

Preferably the arylcyclobutene moieties are connected by direct bond ora bridging member comprising a polyvalent organic moiety. Mostpreferably, the arylcyclobutee moieties are connected by the bridgingmembers comprising the polyvalent organic moieties.

In one preferred embodiment, the polyvalent bridging member is adivalent bridging member. More preferred divalent bridging membersinclude hydrocarbylene, dicarbonyloxy hydrocarbylene, dicarboxamidohydrocarbylene, dicarbonyldioxy hydrocarbylene, dioxyhydrocarbylene, anddithiohydrocarbylene moieties.

Even more preferred divalent organic bridging members are hydrocarbylenedicarbonyloxyhydrocarbylene, dicarboxamidohydrocarbylene,di(carbonyloxy)hydrocarbylene, dioxyhydrocarbylene, anddithiohydrocarbylene moieties.

Examples of polyvalent organic bridging members include the following:alk-poly-yl, ar-poly-yl, alkar-poly-yl, aralk-poly-yl, alkenear-poly-yl,polyoxy(alk-poly-yl), polyoxy(ar-poly-yl), polyoxy(alkar-poly-yl),polyoxy(aralk-poly-yl), polythio(alk-poly-yl), polythio(ar-poly-yl),polythio(alkar-poly-yl), polythio(aralk-poly-yl),polyamido(alk-poly-yl), polyamido(ar-poly-yl), polyamido(alkar-poly-yl),polyamido(aralk-poly-yl), polycarbonyloxy(alk-poly-yl),polycarbonyloxy(ar-poly-yl), polycarbonyloxy(alkar-poly-yl),polycarbonyloxy(aralk-poly-yl), polycarbonyldioxy(alk-poly-yl),polycarbonyldioxy(ar-poly-yl), polycarbonyldioxy(alkar-poly-yl),polycarbonyldioxy(aralk-poly-yl), polyamino(alk-poly-yl),polyamino(ar-poly-yl), polyamino(alkar-poly-yl),polyamino(aralk-poly-yl), polycyclicimido(ar-poly-yl),polycyclicimido)alkar-poly-yl), polycyclicimido(aralk-poly-yl),polycarbonyl(alk-poly-yl), polycarbonyl(ar-poly-yl),polycarbonyl(alkar-poly-yl), polycarbonyl(aralk-poly-yl),polyimido(alk-poly-yl), polyimido(ar-poly-yl), polyimido(alkar-poly-yl),polyimido(aralk-poly-yl), polyureylene(alk-poly-yl),polyurelene(ar-poly-yl), polyureylene(alkar-poly-yl),polyureylene(aralk-poly-yl), polycarboxamideoxy(alk-poly-yl),polycarboxamideoxy(ar-poly-yl), polycarboxamideoxy(alkar-poly-yl),polycarboxamideoxy(aralk-poly-yl), ar-poly-yl, alkaryl-poly-yl,aralkyl-poly-yl, and alkenoic-poly-yl.

Hydrocarbyl means herein an organic radical containing carbon andhydrogen atoms. The term hydrocarbyl includes the following organicradicals: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl,aliphatic and cycloaliphatic aralkyl and alkaryl. Aliphatic refersherein to straight- and branched-, and saturated and unsaturated,hydrocarbon chains, that is, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl. Cycloaliphaticrefers herein to saturated and unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons, that is,cycloalkenyl and cycloalkyl. The term aryl refers herein to biaryl,biphenylyl, phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl and two arylgroups bridged by an alkylene group. Alkaryl refers herein to an alkyl-,alkenyl- or alkynyl-substituted aryl substituent wherein aryl is asdefined hereinbefore. Aralkyl means herein an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynylgroup substituted with an aryl group, wherein aryl is as definedhereinbefore. Alkenearyl refers herein to a radical which contains atleast one alkene portion and one aromatic portion, and includes thoseradicals in which more than one alkene radical alternates with more thanone aryl radical. C₁₋₂₀ alkyl includes straight- and branched-chainmethyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl,decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl,heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl and eicosyl groups. C₁₋₅ alkyl includesmethyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and pentyl.

Cycloalkyl refers to alkyl groups containing one, two, three or morecyclic rings. Cycloalkenyl refers to mono-, di- and polycyclic groupscontaining one or more double bonds. Cycloalkenyl also refers tocycloalkenyl groups wherein two or more double bonds are present.

Hydrocarbylene refers herein to a divalent hydrocarbon radical. Poly-ylrefers herein to a polyvalent radical, for example, ar-poly-yl refers toa polyvalent aromatic radical. Poly refers herein to two or more.

Preferred poly(arylcyclobutenes) correspond to the formula ##STR1##wherein B is a direct bond or bridging member which comprises (1) apolyvalent inorganic radical, or (2) a polyvalent organic radical;

Ar is an aromatic radical which may be substituted;

R is separately in each occurrence hydrogen or an electron-withdrawingor electron-donating substituent;

m is an integer of 1 or more; and

n is an integer of 2 or more,

with the proviso that B can only be a direct bond wherein n is 2.

In one preferred embodiment, the aromatic radical is benzene and m is 1.In this preferred embodiment, the poly(arylcyclobutenes) can be referredto as poly(benzocyclobutenes). Preferred poly(benzocyclobutenes)correspond to the formula ##STR2## wherein a is separately in eachoccurrence the integer 0, 1, 2, or 3; and B, R, and n are as definedhereinbefore. In formula II, a is preferably 0 or 1, and most preferably0. R is preferably hydrogen, a cyano, or hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl group;more preferably hydrogen or cyano; and most preferably hydrogen.

In one embodiment, B can be a polyvalent inorganic bridging member,wherein inorganic bridging member is as defined hereinbefore. Preferableinorganic polyvalent moieties include --O--, --S--, --P--, --N--,##STR3## wherein M is a metal; R¹ is an alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, aryloxy, alkaryloxy or aralkyloxy; and b is an integer of 1 orgreater. More preferable polyvalent inorganic bridging members include--O--, --S--, ##STR4##

Preferred polyvalent organic radicals include those wherein B is (a) theformula X--(Z--_(n), wherein X is a hydrocarbon poly-yl radical whereinthe hydrocarbon poly-yl can contain a heteroatom of oxygen, phosphorous,sulfur or nitrogen, and Z is a functionalized linking moiety; or (b) ahydrocarbon poly-yl. Hydrocarbon poly-yl is as defined hereinbefore. Thefunctionalized linking moiety is as defined hereinbefore. Preferably, Xis an alk-poly-yl, cycloalk-poly-yl, ar-poly-yl, alkar-poly-yl, abiaromatic alkylene or cycloalkylene bridged poly-yl. More preferably, Xis --CH₂ --_(p), ##STR5## a phenylene, biphenylene, or cycloalkylenewherein Y is a C₁₋₂₀ straight- or branched-chain radical or acycloalkylene radical and p is an integer of between about 0 and 20,inclusive. Most preferably X is --CH₂ --_(p), phenylene, ##STR6##

Preferably, Z is O, S, N, P, ##STR7## more preferably O, S, ##STR8## andmost preferably ##STR9##

wherein B is a hydrocarbon poly-yl, the preferred hydrocarbon poly-ylsinclude alk-poly-yls, alkene-poly-yls, alkar-poly-yls, ar-poly-yls andalkenear-poly-yls. Even more preferred are the alk-poly-yls,alkene-poly-yls and the alkenear-poly-yls.

In one preferred embodiment, B is an alkenear-poly-yl and generallycorresponds to the formula

--R³)_(r) (Ar--R³)_(r))_(q)

wherein Ar is as hereinbefore defined; R³ is separately in eachoccurrence an alkylene, cycloalkylene or alkenylene radical; r isindependently in each occurrence 0 or 1; and q is 1 or greater. R³ ispreferably a C₁₋₂₀ alkylene or C₁₋₂₀ alkenylene. R³ is more preferablyC₁₋₁₀ alkylene or C₁₋₁₀ alkenylene. R³ is even more preferably C₁₋₄alkylene or C₁₋₄ alkenylene, with --CH═CH-- being most preferred.Preferably q is between 1 and 20, most preferably between 1 and 10. In amore preferred embodiment, the aromatic radical hydrocarbon poly-ylbridging member corresponds to the formula ##STR10## wherein q is ashereinbefore defined.

In another preferred embodiment B is an alkylene moiety or alkenylenemoiety which corresponds to the formula --CH₂ --_(p) or--CH═CH((CH₂)_(p) CH═CH--_(s) wherein p is as hereinbefore defined and sis an integer of between 0 and 20. Preferably, p is an integer of about0 and 20, and most preferably an integer of about 2 and 10. Preferably sis an integer of about 0 and 10.

Preferred poly(benzocyclobutene) monomers include those withcarboxamide-linking groups wherein the bridging members correspond tothe formulas ##STR11## those with carbonyloxy-linking groups wherein thebridging members correspond to the formulas ##STR12## those withcarbonyldioxy-linking groups wherein the bridging member corresponds tothe formula ##STR13## those with oxygen-linking groups wherein thebridging member corresponds to the formula

    --O--X--O--;

those with sulfur-linking groups wherein the bridging member correspondsto the formula

    --S--X--S--;

and those with cyclic imide-linking groups wherein the bridging membercorresponds to the formula ##STR14## wherein X is as hereinbeforedefined. More preferred bridging members which containcarboxamide-linking groups correspond to the following formulas:##STR15## wherein p is as defined hereinbefore and p is an integer of 1or greater, preferably between 1 and 20. More preferred bridging memberswith carbonyloxy-linking groups correspond to the formulas: ##STR16##wherein p is as defined hereinbefore. More preferred bridging memberswherein the linking group is carbonyldioxy include those whichcorrespond to the following formulas ##STR17## wherein p is as definedhereinbefore. More preferred bridging members with oxygen-linking groupsinclude those which correspond to the formulas

    --O--CH.sub.2).sub.p O--

and ##STR18## wherein p is as defined hereinbefore. More preferredbridging members with sulfur-linking groups include those whichcorrespond to the formula

    --S--CH.sub.2).sub.p S--;

wherein p is as defined hereinbefore. More preferred bridging memberswith cyclic imide-linking groups include those which correspond to theformula ##STR19##

The poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers useful in this invention can beprepared by several synthesis schemes. The preferred methods ofpreparation of such monomers are described hereinafter.

In one synthesis scheme, an alkyl-substituted aromatic compound which isfurther substituted with an aryl deactivating substitutent ischloroalkylated in a position ortho to the alkyl group. In the preferredembodiment wherein the aromatic compound is benzene, the startingmaterial corresponds to the following formula ##STR20## wherein R is asdefined hereinbefore; R¹ is any aryl deactivating substituent; and c isan integer of 0, 1, 2, or 3. The alkyl-substituted aromatic compound ischloroalkylated by contacting the alkyl aromatic compound with achloroalkylating agent and thionyl chloride in the presence of an ironchloride catalyst so as to result in a product which contains achloroalkyl group ortho to the alkyl substituent. In the embodimentwherein the aromatic compound is a benzene ring, the product correspondsto the formula ##STR21## wherein R is as defined hereinbefore and R¹ isan aryl deactivating group. R¹ is preferably a hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl,carboxamide, hydrocarbylcarbonyl, carboxylate, halocarbonyl, nitrile,nitro, sulfone or sulfoxide group. R¹ is more preferably a halo orhydrocarbyloxycarbonyl group, with hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl being the mostpreferred group. Preferably c is 0 or 1, most preferably 0.

In this process the chloroalkylating agent is preferably chloromethylmethyl ether, although other chloroalkylating agents such asbis(chloromethyl) ether could be used. At least a 2:1 molar excess ofthe chloroalkylating agent to the alkyl-substituted aromatic compound isneeded. It is preferable to use at least about a 3:1 ratio ofchloroalkylating agent to alkyl aromatic compound. The catalyst isferric chloride (FeCl₃) while the cocatalyst is thionyl chloride. Thecatalyst can be present in between about 0.05 and 1.0 mole per mole ofalkyl aromatic. More preferably between about 0.1 and 0.4 mole ofcatalyst are present for each mole of alkyl aromatic compound.Preferably between about 0.05 and 1.0 mole of thionyl chloride per moleof alkyl aromatic is used, more preferably between about 0.1 and 0.4mole per mole of alkyl aromatic.

This process can be performed at a temperature of between about 40° C.and 80° C., preferably about 40° C. and 60° C. Below about 40° C., thereaction rate is low. The boiling point of some of the components of thereaction mixture starts at about 60° C.

This process can be performed by contacting the alkyl aromatic compoundwith the chloroalkylating agent, catalyst and cocatalyst in a suitablesolvent. Suitable solvents include chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents.Thereafter the reaction mixture is heated to the appropriatetemperature. The product can be recovered by quenching the reactionmixture with alcohols or water to inactivate the chloroalkylating agentsremaining, stripping off the volatiles and washing out the catalyst withwater. The product thereafter is recovered by distillation.

The ortho chloroalkylated alkyl aromatic compounds can be converted toaromatic compounds with cyclobutene rings fused thereto, by pyrolysis.This is achieved by contacting the ortho chloroalkylated alkyl aromaticcompound with at least 2 times its weight of a suitable diluent, andthereafter passing the mixture through a reactor at a temperature of550° C. or greater and a pressure of between about atmospheric and 25 mmof mercury. Suitable diluents are generally substituted aromaticcompounds which are inert to the chloroalkylated alkyl aromatic compoundand are stable at pyrolysis temperatures. Examples of suitable diluentsare benzene, toluene, xylenes, chlorobenzenes, nitrobenzenes,methylbenzoates, phenyl acetate or diphenyl acetate. Preferred diluentsare the xylenes. Preferable temperatures are between about 700° C. and750° C. Preferable pressures are between about 35 and 25 mm of mercury.In a preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is passed through a hottube packed with an inert material, for example, quartz chips orstainless steel helices. The product can be recovered by distillation.The product wherein the aromatic compound is benzene corresponds to theformula ##STR22## wherein R, R¹ and c are as hereinbefore defined.

In the preferred embodiment wherein R¹ is a hydrocarbyloxy carbonylmoiety, the hydrocarbyloxy carbonyl moiety can be converted to acarboxylate moiety by contacting the substituted (arylcyclobutene)compound with at least a molar equivalent of alkali metal hydroxide inan alkanol-water solvent system. In the embodiment wherein the aromaticradical is benzene, the product corresponds to the formula ##STR23##

Thereafter the carboxylate-substituted (arylcyclobutene) compound can beconverted to an acid chloride by contacting the carboxylate-substituted(arylcyclobutene) compound with thionyl chloride and refluxing at 70° C.to 80° C. The acid halide-substituted (arylcyclobutene) so formed can beused to prepare the novel monomers of this invention, as describedhereinafter. In the embodiment wherein the aryl radical is a benzenering, the product corresponds to the formula ##STR24##

In an alternative synthesis, an aryl compound with ortho dibromomethylgroups can be converted to a 1,2-diiodoarylcyclobutene, by contactingthe aryl compound substituted with ortho dibromomethyl moieties with analkali metal iodide in an alkanol solvent at reflux so as to form thediiodoarylcyclobutenes. The product can be recovered by filtering,evaporating the filtrate and recrystallizing the product. In theembodiment wherein the aryl radical is a benzene radical, the startingmaterial corresponds to the formula ##STR25## and theiodobenzocyclobutene corresponds to the formula ##STR26##

The 1,2-diiodoarylcyclobutenes can be converted to arylcyclobutenes bydissolving the 1,2-diiodoarylcyclobutenes in an alcohol solvent,preferably methanol or ethanol and contacting the solution with analkali metal hydroxide in the presence of a palladium-on-carbon catalystand H₂ gas at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C. In general, at leastbetween about 2 and 4 moles of alkali metal hydroxide per mole of1,2-diiodoarylcyclobutene is used. Preferably, between about 50 and 200psi of hydrogen gas is used. The arylcyclobutenes prepared in thismanner can be recovered by distillation. In the embodiment wherein thearyl radical is a benzene radical, the product corresponds to theformula ##STR27##

The arylcyclobutene can thereafter be brominated. In this process, thearylcyclobutene is dissolved in acetic acid and contacted with abrominating agent of pyridinium perbromide hydrobromide in the presenceof mercuric salts, for example, mercuric acetate, at a temperature ofbetween about 20° C. and 50° C. The brominated product can be recoveredby extraction and distillation. In the embodiment wherein aryl radicalis benzene, the product corresponds to the formula ##STR28##

The brominated arylcyclobutene can thereafter be carbonylated to preparea hydrocarbyloxy carbonyl-substituted arylcyclobutene. Thiscarbonylation is achieved by dissolving the brominated arylcyclobutenein an alkanol solvent, and thereafter contacting the solution withcarbon monoxide under pressure in the presence of a palladium catalyst,wherein the palladium is in the zero valence state, in the furtherpresence of an acid acceptor under conditions such that the brominatedarylcyclobutene compound undergoes carbonylation. Preferred catalystsare complexes prepared from palladium acetate and triphenyl phosphine,palladium triphenyl phosphine tetrakis, and bis(triphenyl phosphine)palladium chloride complex. The acid acceptor is generally a tertiaryamine. In general, the reaction vessel is pressurized with carbonmonoxide to a pressure of between atmospheric and 3000 psi, preferredpressures are between 600 and 1000 psi.

This process is preferably performed at a temperature of between 100° C.and 140° C., most preferably between 120° C. and 130° C. Thehydrocarbyloxy carbonyl arylcyclobutene can be recovered by filteringoff the catalyst, washing away the acid scavenger with a 10 percentstrong mineral acid solution, stripping off the solvent and distilling.To prepare a carboxamide-substituted arylcyclobutene, a primary orsecondary amine is substituted for the alcohol solvent. In theembodiment wherein the aryl radical is a benzene radical, the processcorresponds to the following equation: ##STR29## wherein R and c are ashereinbefore defined and R² and R³ are hydrocarbyl moieties. Thehydrocarbyloxy carbonyl-substituted or carboxamide-substitutedarylcyclobutenes can thereafter be hydrolyzed and converted to acidchlorides by the process described hereinbefore.

The chlorocarbonyl-substituted arylcyclobutene compounds can beconverted to poly(arylcyclobutene) compounds by contacting thehalocarbonyl-substituted arylcyclobutenes with activehydrogen-containing compounds. Active hydrogen-containing compoundrefers herein to any compound which contains a hydrogen atom bonded toan oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus or nitrogen atom. For the purposes of thisinvention, an active hydrogen-containing compound refers to a compoundcontaining a hydrogen atom which, because of its position in themolecule, displays significant activity according to the Zerewitnofftest described by Woller in the J. Am. Chem. Soc., 49, 3181 (1927).Illustrative of such active hydrogen moieties are --COOH, --OH, --NH₂,═NH, --CONH₂, --SH, and --CONH--. Such active hydrogen-containingcompounds include polyols, polyamines, polyimides, polymercaptans,polyacids and the like. To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) compoundwherein the linking group is an amide, one contacts the halo carbonylarylcyclobutene with a polyamine. To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene)wherein the linking group is an imide, the active hydrogen-containingcompound is a polyamide. To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) wherein thelinking group is an ester, the active hydrogen-containing compound is analcohol. To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) wherein the linking group isan anhydride, the active hydrogen-containing compound is an acid. Theactive hydrogen-containing compounds useful in this invention generallycorrespond to the formula

    B--H).sub.n

wherein B and n are as hereinbefore defined. More preferably the activehydrogen-containing compound corresponds to the following formula

    X--Z--H).sub.n

wherein X, Z and n are as hereinbefore defined.

An alternative method to prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer with apolyamido(hydrocarb-poly-yl)-bridging member involves reacting apolyamino hydrocarbon with at least one equivalent of a hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl arylcyclobutene for each amino moiety on the hydrocarbon. Thereactants are dissolved in an equal volume of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene andheated to 170° C. for about 6 hours. The alkanol by-product generatedcan be removed by distillation or absorption on a molecular sieve. Thesolvent is removed by washing it away with ethyl ether. The productprepared results in an amide-linking group wherein the nitrogen atom isbound to the aryl radical.

In another preparation of an arylcyclobutene, the reaction may followthat reported by Skorcz and Kaminski, Org. Syn., 48, pages 53-56 (1968).In a typical preparation, an alkyl cyanoacetate is added to a solutionof sodium metal in ethanol followed by the addition of anortho-halomethylaryl halide. The alkyl 3-(O-haloaryl)-1-cyanopropionateis isolated and treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Subsequentacidification results in the cyanoacetic acid derivative. Thatderivative is placed into N,N-dimethylformamide and is refluxed to formthe 3-(O-haloaryl)propionitrile derivative which is isolated and addedto a suspension of sodamide in liquid ammonia. After an appropriatereaction time, ammonium nitrate is added and the ammonia allowed toevaporate. The cyanoarylcyclobutene is isolated by ether extraction andpurified by fractional distillation under reduced pressure.

Substituted arylcyclobutenes can be prepared by the same technique byusing the appropriately substituted reactants, such as an alkyl oralkoxybenzyl halide. Also substituents can result from using an alkylhaloacetate, alkyl acetoacetate or a dialkylmalonate.

In another preparation based on the paper by Matsura et al., Bull Chem.Soc. Jap., 39, 1342 (1966), o-aminoaryl carboxylic acid is dissolved inethanol and hydrochloric acid added. Isoamylnitrite is slowly added tothe cold stirred solution and diethyl ether is then added. The product,aryldiazonium-2-carboxylate hydrochloride, is filtered. That product isplaced in a solvent, preferably ethylene dichloride, and acrylonitrileand propylene oxide is added to the stirred mixture which is then heatedunder nitrogen until the reaction is complete. After cooling, themixture is filtered and the product, 1-cyanoarylcyclobutene, is isolatedby fractionally distilling the filtrate under reduced pressure.

Amounts of reactants, reaction parameters and other details can be foundin the cited article, the examples of this application, or can be easilydeduced therefrom.

In a next sequence of reactions, the cyanoarylcyclobutene or substitutedderivative is nuclear substituted. When the poly(arylcyclobutene) to beprepared has an amide-linking group, the cyanoarylcyclobutene isaminated. In one preparation, the cyanoarylcyclobutene is added slowlyto a cold solution of sodium nitrate in concentrated sulfuric acid toform 5-nitro-1-cyanoarylcyclobutene. That nitro compound is isolated,dissolved in ethanol and reduced by hydrogenation over a palladium oncarbon catalyst. The isolated product is 5-amino-1-cyanoarylcyclobutene.In the preferred embodiment where the aryl radical is benzene, theproduct corresponds to the formula ##STR30##

In another method of preparing the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers, theamino-substituted arylcyclobutene is reacted with an appropriatecoupling material. Coupling material refers herein to a compound whichreacts with the amino or other substituent on the arylcyclobutene so asto form a bridging member with the amino or other substituent. Suchprocesses are described hereinafter. In the embodiment wherein thebridging member contains amide-linking groups, the amino-substitutedarylcyclobutenes are reacted with a polyvalent acid chloride. Inpractice, the amine-substituted arylcyclobutene is dissolved in achlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent to which is added a tertiaryamine, the acid acceptor, and thereafter the polyvalent acid chloride ina chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent is added slowly to themixture. This is preferably done at about 0° C. in an inert atmosphere.It is preferred to stir the reaction mixture for a period of time at 0°C. after the addition is complete.

To prepare a hydroxy-substituted arylcyclobutene, an amine-substitutedarylcyclobutene is contacted with an alkali metal nitrite in thepresence of sulfuric acid at 0° C., and thereafter the reaction mixtureis heated to 100° C.

To prepare a mercapto-substituted arylcyclobutene, first anarylcyclobutene is reacted with chlorosulfonic acid to prepare anarylcyclobutene sulfonyl chloride. Arylcyclobutenyl sulfonyl chloride isreacted with zinc to prepare a mercapto-substituted arylcyclobutene.Alternatively, the arylcyclobutene is treated with a mixture of sulfurtrioxide and dioxane at 0° C. followed by treatment with water. Thearylcyclobutene-sulfonic acid is isolated and treated with phosphorouspentachloride to form the arylcyclobutene sulfonyl chloride which isthen reduced with zinc to the mercapto-substituted arylcyclobutene.

An iodo-substituted arylcyclobutene can be prepared by reacting anamino-substituted arylcyclobutene with an alkali metal nitrite, sulfuricacid and potassium iodide at 0° C. under conditions such that aniodoarylcyclobutene is prepared.

An alkenyl-substituted arylcyclobutene can be prepared by reacting abromo-substituted arylcyclobutene with an alkene, wherein the alkenecontains a terminal olefin, in an aliphatic hydrocarbon or aliphaticnitrile solvent in the presence of a palladium catalyst such aspalladium acetate, and a tertiary amine such as triethylamine. It isadvantageous to use a slight excess of the bromo-substitutedarylcyclobutene. The tertiary amine, which functions as an acidacceptor, is used in equimolar amounts with the bromo-substitutedarylcyclobutene. The palladium catalyst is used in catalyticallyeffective amounts. Generally this process can be performed attemperatures of between about 40° C. and 140° C.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with an alkene-poly-yl oralkenear-poly-yl-bridging member, an alkene or alkene-substitutedaromatic compound which contains two or more terminal olefinic moietiesis reacted with at least one mole of a bromo-substituted arylcyclobutenefor each terminal olefin under conditions described hereinbefore.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer in which the bridging membercontains an amine-linking group, the amine-substituted arylcyclobuteneis reacted with a polyvalent alkyl halide. In order to prepare apoly(arylcyclobutene) monomer in which the bridging member contains alinking group which is ureylene, the amine-substituted arylcyclobuteneis reacted with a polyvalent isocyanate or phosgene.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer in which the bridging membercontains a linking group of a cyclic imide, the amine-substitutedarylcyclobutene is reacted with a polyvalent anhydride compound.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer with a polyvalent organicbridging member containing carbonyl-linking groups, the arylcyclobuteneis reacted with an acid chloride with two or more acid chloridemoieties, in the presence of aluminum chloride.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer with a polyvalent organicbridging member containing an ammonium carboxylate-linking group, acarboxylate-substituted arylcyclobutene is contacted with a polyvalentpolyamine-substituted compound.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with a polyvalent organic bridgingmember containing thio-linking groups, a mercapto-substitutedarylcyclobutene is reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide to prepare analkali metal salt of the mercapto-substituted arylcyclobutene. The saltis then reacted with a polyhalo organic compound to prepare apoly(arylcyclobutene) with an organic bridging member containingthio-linking groups.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with a polyvalent organic bridgingmember containing nitrogen (amino)-linking groups, two or moreequivalents of an amino-substituted arylcyclobutene are reacted with anorganic compound containing two or more aldehyde moieties in thepresence of an alkali metal cyanoborohydride under conditions that apoly(arylcyclobutene) with a polyvalent organic bridging member withamino-linking moieties is prepared. One equivalent of amino-substitutedarylcyclobutene for each aldehyde moiety on the organicaldehyde-containing compound is used. Alternatively, two or moreequivalents of amine-substituted arylcyclobutene are reacted with anorganic compound containing two or more moieties in the presence of analkaline earth metal carbonate under conditions such that apoly(arylcyclobutene) with an organic bridging member containingamino-linking moieties is prepared. An equivalent of amino-substitutedarylcyclobutene is used for each bromo moiety on the bromo-substitutedorganic compound.

To prepare poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers with polyvalent organicbridging members containing oxygen-linking moieties, ahydroxy-substituted arylcyclobutene is contacted with an alkali metalhydroxide to prepare an alkali metal salt of a hydroxy-substitutedarylcyclobutene. Two or more equivalents of the salt is then reactedwith an organic compound containing two or more bromo moieties, underconditions such that a poly(arylcyclobutene) with an organic bridgingmember containing oxygen-linking groups is prepared. One equivalent ofthe salt for each bromo moiety on the organic compound is used.

An alternative method of preparing the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomerswherein a carbonyl group is attached to the aryl moiety involvescontacting the carboxylate-substituted arylcyclobutenes with1',1-carbonyldiimidazole in an ether solvent at 0° C. The reactionmixture is then heated until it reaches the reflux of the solvent andthereafter any active hydrogen-containing compound is added so as toprepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer, wherein the bridging membercontains a carbonyl group which is bonded to the aryl group of thearylcyclobutene.

In order to prepare a polysiloxane bridging member, theamino-substituted arylcyclobutene is reacted with a polychlorinatedpolysiloxane. Alternatively, a halocarbonyl-substituted arylcyclobuteneis reacted with an aminoalkyl-terminated polysiloxane.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) monomer with a polyvalent inorganicbridging member comprising a carbonyl moiety, an acid-halide-substituted(arylcyclobutene) is reacted with an arylcyclobutene in the presence ofAlCl₃ or SnCl₄.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with a carbonyldioxy inorganicbridging member, two moles of a hydroxy-substituted arylcyclobutene isreacted with phosgene in the presence of a tertiary amine. To prepare apoly(arylcyclobutene) with a bridging member of a polyvalent metalionically bonded to a polyvalent carboxylate moiety, acarboxylate-substituted arylcyclobutene is reacted with a metalhydroxide to prepare a metal poly(arylcyclobutene) carboxylate. Ingeneral, the metal hydroxide is reacted with the number of moles ofcarboxylate-substituted arylcyclobutenes equal to the metal'scoordination number. A poly(arylcyclobutene) with a polyvalent metalbridging member is prepared by first reacting one equivalent of abromine-substituted arylcyclobutene with one equivalent of magnesium inan ether solvent to prepare an arylcyclobutenyl magnesium bromide. Toprepare a di(arylcyclobutenyl) magnesium, one equivalent of a brominatedarylcyclobutene is reacted with two equivalents of magnesium. Thearylcyclobutenyl magnesium bromide is reacted with a metal chloride toprepare a poly(arylcyclobutenyl) metal. The metal chloride is reactedwith the number of equivalents of arylcyclobutenyl magnesium bromideequal to the metal's oxidation state.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with an inorganic bridging member ofsulfur, a mercapto-substituted benzocyclobutene is reacted with aniodo-substituted arylcyclobutene in an amide solvent in the presence ofan alkali metal hydroxide. Alternatively, the mercapto-substitutedarylcyclobutene can be reacted with cuprous chloride to prepare acuprous salt of a mercapto-substituted arylcyclobutene. The salt canthereafter be reacted with an iodo-substituted cyclobutene in an amidesolvent to prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with a sulfide bridgingmember. The sulfide bridging member can be converted to a sulfoxide bycontacting the poly(arylcyclobutene) sulfide with one equivalent ofperacetic acid under conditions to oxidize the sulfide to a sulfoxide.Alternatively, the sulfide can be converted to a sulfone by contactingthe poly(arylcyclobutene) with two equivalents of peracetic acid underconditions to oxidize the sulfide to a sulfone.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with a phosphorus bridging member, anarylcyclobutene magnesium bromide is reacted with phosphorus trichlorideto prepare a tri(arylcyclobutenyl) phosphine. The tri(arylcyclobutenyl)phosphine can be contacted with peracetic acid, so as to prepare atri(arylcyclobutenyl) phosphine oxide.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with a nitrogen bridging member, anamino-substituted arylcyclobutene is reacted with a potassium hydride toprepare a potassium salt of an amine-substituted arylcyclobutene. Thesalt is then reacted with an iodoarylcyclobutene in liquid ammonia underultraviolet light, under conditions that a poly(arylcyclobutene) with anitrogen bridging member is prepared.

To prepare a poly(arylcyclobutene) with an oxygen bridging member, twoequivalents of a hydroxy-substituted arylcyclobutene are reacted withcupric carbonate to prepare cupric salt comprising a copper cation andtwo anions of hydroxyarylcyclobutenes from which the hydroxyl hydrogenshave been abstracted. The salt is then reacted with aniodoarylcyclobutene, at between 100° C. and 180° C., either neat or inan amide solvent, under conditions such that a di(arylcyclobutene)either is prepared.

In general, the polymeric compositions of this invention are prepared bycontacting one or more of the poly(arylcyclobutene) compounds andheating them to the polymerization temperature of the particularmonomer(s) used. The polymerization is an addition polymerizationwherein no volatiles are generated. Furthermore, no catalyst initiatoror curing agents are necessary for the polymerization to take place. Itis believed that the polymerization takes place when the cyclobutenering undergoes transformation to prepare a molecule containing a1,3-cyclohexadienyl radical with two exo-olefinic unsaturated moietiesadjacent to one another wherein each of the olefinic unsaturatedmoieties undergoes reaction with the olefinic unsaturated moieties ofother 1,3-cyclohexadienyl-containing molecules which have undergone thesame transformation. The temperature at which the poly(arylcyclobutene)monomers undergo polymerization is affected by the nature of anysubstituent on the cyclobutene ring. In some embodiments, thetemperature of polymerization is as low as about 30° C. In preferredembodiments, the temperature at which polymerization is initiated isabove 150° C., more preferably above about 200° C. It is to be notedthat the temperature at which polymerization is initiated is dependentupon the nature of substituents on the cyclobutene ring. In general,wherein the cyclobutene ring is unsubstituted, the polymerization isinitiated at about 200° C. Wherein the cyclobutene ring is substitutedwith an electron-donating substituent, the polymerization temperature isgenerally lowered, the higher the ability of the substituent to donateelectrons, the lower the polymerization initiation temperature is.Conversely, the electron-withdrawing substituents on the cyclobutenering result in higher polymerization initiation temperatures. Theunsubstituted cyclobutene in general polymerizes at the highesttemperature.

It is believed the polymers prepared from the poly(arylcyclobutenes)comprise units corresponding to the formulas ##STR31## or mixturesthereof. It is believed that the preferred polymers prepared from thepoly(arylcyclobutenes) comprise mixtures of formulas A and B.

In those embodiments wherein Ar is benzene, it is believed that thepolymer's prepared from poly(benzocyclobutenes) comprise unitscorresponding to the formulas ##STR32## or mixtures thereof. It isbelieved the preferred polymers prepared comprise mixtures of formulas Cand D with D being predominant.

The method of polymerization of the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers has asignificant effect on the nature and properties of the polymericcomposition prepared. In one embodiment, the poly(arylcyclobutene)monomers of this invention can be melt polymerized. The meltpolymerization of poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers allows their use in thepreparation of solid parts, as coatings, in composites, as adhesives andas fibers.

In one embodiment of the melt polymerization, the monomer is melted at atemperature of between about 80° C. and 200° C., and thereafter pouredor injected into a mold. Thereafter, pressure is applied on the meltedmonomer in the mold. Generally, pressures of between about 100 and 2000psi are suitable. Thereafter, the monomer is heated to a temperature ofbetween about 200° C. and 300° C., preferably between about 200° C. and250° C. for between about 10 minutes and 3 hours. Upon cooling, thepolymerized composition can be removed from the mold.

Polymers prepared in this manner can subsequently be thermally treatedat temperatures above 200° C. to raise the modulus and lower thecoefficient of expansion of such polymeric compositions.

In general, the polymers prepared by this method are insoluble in thatthey swell but do not dissolve, are thermally stable at 200° C., have agood modulus, a low water pickup and are reasonably hard.

These polymers are useful in preparing composites. Suitable fillers andreinforcing materials are, generally, in any powder form and/or fibrousproducts, for example, of the type commonly used in the production ofmoldings based on unsaturated polyester resins or epoxide resins.Examples of products such as these are, primarily, granular fillers suchas quartz powder, ground shale, asbestos powder, powdered carborundum,chalk, iron powder, aluminum powder, sand, gravel and other fillers ofthis kind, also inorganic or organic fibers, more especially glassfibers in the usual textile forms of fibers, filaments rovings, yars,nonwovens, mats and cloths, etc. In this connection, amino silane-basedfinishes have proven to be particularly effective. It is also possibleto use corresponding textile structures of organic, preferably syntheticfibers (polyamides, polyesters) or on the basis of quartz, carbon,metals, etc., as well as monocrystals (whiskers).

The end products combined with fillers or reinforcing materials may beused in particular in vessel and pipe construction by the windingtechnique, in electrical engineering, in mold construction and toolmaking and also in the construction of heavily stressed components, inthe lightweight construction of vehicles in aeronautical andastronautical engineering.

In another embodiment, the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers can be used toprepare coatings and films. In one embodiment, the monomers aredissolved in a suitable solvent and coated onto the substrate of choice,and thereafter the coated substrate is exposed to temperatures of abovethe polymerization temperature of the monomer. Preferably, thepolymerization temperature is 150° C. or above, more preferably 200° C.or above. The coated substance is exposed to polymerization temperaturesfor a sufficient time for the polymerization to be completed.Preferably, such exposure times are between 1 and 5 hours. Suitablesolvents are those which volatilize away at temperatures below thepolymerization temperature. Preferred solvents are cyclic and aliphaticethers, lower alkanols, amides, and chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. Itis preferable to saturate the solvent with the monomer, a 20 to 30weight percent concentration of monomer in the solvent is morepreferred.

The poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers may be combined with the powder-formor fibrous fillers or reinforcing materials either before or after heattreatment. For example, it is possible to impregnate powder-form orfibrous fillers or reinforcing materials such as quartz sand or glasscloths, with the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers, optionally in solution.

In another embodiment, a film can be prepared from thepoly(arylcyclobutene) monomers of this invention by powder coatingtechniques. In particular, the monomer in a powder form is placed on adesired substrate. Thereafter, the monomer is heated to its melttemperature over a time sufficient to melt the monomer and allow themelted monomer to form a liquid coating on the substrate. Thereafter,the melted monomer coated on the substrate is exposed to temperatures atwhich the monomer polymerizes for a time sufficient for the monomer toform a film on the desired substrate.

In another embodiment, the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers can be used asadhesives. In such embodiment, one of the substrates to be joined iscontacted with some form of the monomers, for example, the monomer in apowdered form. Thereafter, the second substrate to be adhesivated iscontacted with the substrate previously contacted with the monomer.Thereafter, pressure of at least 1 psi is applied and the monomers andsubstrates are raised to a temperature at which the monomer undergoespolymerization.

In one embodiment, the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers can be formed intoa prepolymer which thereafter can be polymerized. To form theprepolymer, the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers are contacted in an inertatmosphere or under vacuum and heated to a stage at which thepolymerization mixture is sufficiently viscous enough to be moldable inconventional molding equipment. Preferably, the monomers can becontacted at a temperature of 190° C. to 220° C. for between about 1 and10 minutes. Thereafter, the prepolymer can be used in various techniquesto prepare the polymeric compositions of this invention. In onepreferred embodiment, the prepolymer is cooled to form a powder whichcan be used to form compression molded articles, as an adhesive, and inmany other uses.

In another embodiment, a prepolymer of the poly(arylcyclobutene)monomers can be prepared by precipitation polymerization. In particular,the technique involves heating such monomers in a solvent to prepare alow molecular weight prepolymer. A solvent is used which dissolves themonomer but not the prepolymer. As the prepolymer forms, it precipitatesand is removed. The prepolymer can be fabricated in a hot compressionmold which reacts out the remaining arylcyclobutene rings to give athermoset polymer. The product is a fine white powder. Preferablesolvents are nonpolar solvents, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatichydrocarbons, aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, aromatic chlorinatedhydrocarbon solvents, biphenols, naphthalenes or polychlorinatedbiphenyls. In general, the monomer can be dissolved up to saturation inthe solvent used. A 20 to 30 percent by weight solution of the monomerin the solvent is preferred. The prepolymer is used to prepare a polymerby heating the prepolymer in the desired form, to the polymerizationtemperature of the monomer for a time sufficient for the polymerizationto go to completion.

The polymerization preferably takes place at temperatures of betweenabout 200° C. and 240° C. for periods of between about 1 and 5 hours.

In another embodiment, the poly(arylcyclobutene) monomers can bepolymerized by solution polymerization techniques. In this embodiment,the monomers are dissolved in dipolar aprotic solvents with boilingpoints above the polymerization temperature of the monomers. It ispreferable that the solvents have a boiling point of near or above 200°C. and more preferable that the solvents have a boiling point of above250° C. Examples of preferred dipolar aprotic solvents include amidesand sulfones. It is necessary to add to the solution lithium salts whichsolubilize the polymer in the solvents, preferably, between about 5 and20 weight percent based on the solvent weight. A preferred lithium saltis lithium chloride. The polymerization takes place by heating thepolymerization solution to a temperature at which the monomer undergoespolymerization, preferably above 200° C. The polymerization time ispreferably between about 1 and 10 hours. The polymer can be recovered byadding water to precipitate the polymer from the reaction solution andthereafter stripping off the solvent. The polymers prepared with thismethod can be used in compression moldings or to prepare coatings.

In another embodiment, the monomers of this invention which undergopolymerization at a temperature which is below the melting point of themonomer can be polymerized in a solid state polymerization. In thismethod, the monomer is heated to a temperature at which polymerizationtakes place. Polymers prepared in this method can be useful in thepreparation of bearings, seals and other parts by powder metallurgytechniques.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only, anddo not limit the scope of the invention or the claims. Unless otherwisespecified, all parts and percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLE 1 Chloromethylation of methyl para-toluate

A solution of methyl para-toluate (30 g, 0.20 mole) in1,2-dichloroethane (80 ml) is added to a flask equipped with ice bath,stirrer, water-cooled condenser, ice traps and scrubber. To the stirredsolution is added chloromethyl methyl ether (48 ml, 0.63 mole), thionylchloride (5.8 ml, 0.080 mole), and last ferric chloride (6.5 g, 0.040mole) in two portions. The cooling bath is removed, and the stirredreaction mixture is heated at 60° C. (heating lamp, controller) for 3hours.

Methanol (150 ml) is added gradually to the cooled reaction mixture(exotherm). Low boiling components are removed under vacuum. Thesolution of product in dichloroethane is washed with water, 5 percentsodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate,filtered, and solvent is removed under vacuum. The product contains 13percent unreacted methyl para-toluate and 80 percent methyl3-chloromethyl-4-methylbenzoate (CMMT-chloromethylated methyl toluate)as analyzed by capillary gas chromatography. Recovery of the startingmaterial by vacuum distillation affords a distillation residue of 91percent pure product (analysis by capillary gas chromatography).

EXAMPLE 2 Pyrolysis of methyl(3-chloromethyl)para-toluate to prepare4-carbomethoxybenzocyclobutene

The experimental setup is a quartz tube packed with quartz chips. Thecentral portion of the tube is placed in a furnace. A 25-centimeterportion of the tube above the furnace serves as a preheating zone andthe temperature in the middle of such preheating zone is between about250° C. and 300° C. Attached to the top of the tube is an additionfunnel. Attached to the bottom portion of the tube are cold traps and ameans for pulling a vacuum on the tube.Methyl(3-chloromethyl)para-toluate (50 g) is dissolved in 200 g ofortho-xylene and placed in the addition funnel. The furnace is heated upto 730° C. A vacuum pump is turned on and pressure is adjusted to 25 mmof mercury. The solution of methyl(3-chloromethyl)para-toluate is addeddropwise over a period of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Product and unreactedstarting material are collected in cold traps. The pyrolytic tube isflushed with 200 ml of acetone after a cooling down period. The acetonesolution is combined with the ortho-xylene solution collected in thecold traps. Acetone and ortho-xylene are distilled off with a 16-inchVigreaux column under normal pressure. When most of the ortho-xylene isdistilled, the system is brought to 0.02 mm mercury and 15.5 g of pure4-carbomethoxy-benzocyclobutene is collected at 61° C. The residue leftin the distillation pot is methyl(3-chloromethyl)para-toluate, 23 g.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 1-cyanobenzocyclobutene

A mixture of benzenediazonium-2-carboxylate hydrochloride (1.92 g),acrylonitrile (0.80 g) and propylene oxide (0.58 g) in 100 ml ofethylene dichloride is stirred in a flask under nitrogen at 50° C.-60°C. for 4 hours. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and filtered.The filtrate is examined by gas chromatography and is found to contain0.52 g (40 percent yield) of 1-cyanobenzocyclobutene.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 5-amino-1-cyanobenzocyclobutene

The 1-cyanobenzocyclobutene is added slowly to a cold solution of sodiumnitrate in cold sulfuric acid. The so-formed nitro compound is isolated,dissolved in ethanol, and reduced by hydrogenation over a palladium oncarbon catalyst.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 1,2-diiodobenzocyclobutene

In a 12-liter, three-neck flask equipped with two reflux condensers andan air-driven stirrer, is placed 6.5 liters of absolute ethanol. Thesystem is connected to a nitrogen line and bubbler through a three-wayvalve. The system is purged with nitrogen and 437.5 g (1.037 moles) ofα,α,α',α'-tetrabromo-o-xylene and 1,948.1 g (12.98 moles) of sodiumiodide are added with stirring. The reaction mixture is stirred andheated under reflux for 10 days under nitrogen. The mixture is cooledand the ethanol solvent removed with a rotary evaporator. The residue isstirred with methylene chloride and filtered. The filtrate is extractedwith water and then stirred for 15 minutes with a 20 percent sodiumsulfite solution. The methylene chloride layer is separated andextracted 4 times with water. It is then dried over magnesium sulfateand filtered. The methylene chloride is then removed on a rotaryevaporator and the residue is treated with hot methanol. The insolubletarry impurities are separated by decantation and the methanol solutionis treated with activated charcoal. The methanol-charcoal mixture isboiled for 15 minutes and then filtered through celite to remove thecharcoal. The charcoal treatment procedure is then repeated 4 moretimes. Following this, the methanol filtrate is placed in a round-bottomflask and the methanol is removed on a rotary evaporator to give thecrude product as a beige solid. This is recrystallized from methanol togive 166.9 g of pure product. The filtrate from the recrystallization isevaporated to give an orange oil which, on treatment with methanol,yielded another 62.9 g of pure product. Total yield is 233.8 g or 63.3percent.

EXAMPLE 6 Bromination of benzocyclobutene

The brominating agent used in this case is pyridinium hydrobromideperbromide (C₅ H₅ N.sup.⊕ HBr₃.sup.⊖, formula weight 319.86). Thisreagent is prepared just prior to its use via the method of Fieser,Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Fieser & Fieser, pp. 967-982.

A 2000-ml round-bottom, three-neck flask is equipped with a refluxcondenser connected to a nitrogen line with T and mineral oil bubbler,mechanical stirrer, and a thermocouple attached to a temperaturecontroller. The flask is then charged with 4.5 g of mercuric acetate(Hg(O₂ CCH₃)₂, f.w. 318.68, 14.12 mmoles), 28.5 g of benzocyclobutene(C₈ H₈, m.w.=104.15, 0.274 mole), and 950 ml of glacial acetic acid.This mixture is stirred, 60 g of pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide isadded, and the reaction is heated to 50° C. After 4 hours, another 60 gof brominating agent is added. The mixture is sampled and the conversionof starting material to product is monitored by gas chromatography. Theaddition of 60-g increments of brominating agent proceeds in this manneruntil conversion is complete (4 days, 460 g of pyridinium hydrobromideperbromide total).

The reaction product is isolated by first decanting the acetic acidsolution into a separatory funnel and diluting with 500 ml of water. Thecrystals of pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide are then soaked inmethylene chloride (250 ml) to leach out any residual product. Thismethylene chloride solution is decanted into the separatory funnel, thefunnel shaken, and the layers separated. The aqueous solution isreturned to the funnel and the process is repeated twice more. Themethylene chloride extracts are combined and washed with 500 ml of Na₂SO₃ (5 percent), 500 ml of water, 500 ml of aqueous hydrochloric acid(10 percent), 500 ml of water, 500 ml of NaHCO₃ (saturated), 500 ml ofwater, and dried over MgSO₄. The methylene chloride is then carefullyremoved via distillation, and the product is isolated by vacuumdistillation using a column packed with stainless steel mesh.4-Bromobenzocyclobutene is collected at 58° C.-60° C. with a vacuum of1.5 mm Hg. Total of 32.8 g is isolated pure, and the pot residuecontains another 8-10 g of material. Isolated yield is 65.6 percent oftheoretical value.

EXAMPLE 7 Carbonylation of 4-bromobenzocyclobutene to preparecarbomethoxybenzocyclobutene

This reaction is run in a 450-ml Parr pressure reactor fitted with amagnetically coupled stirring system. Into this reactor is entered 30 gof 4-bromobenzocyclobutene (0.164 mole), 16.5 g of (CH₃ CH₂)₃ N (0.164mole, freshly distilled over Na metal), 100 ml of CH₃ OH (Burdick &Jackson brand), and the catalyst mixture of 1.1 g of Pd(O₂ CCH₃)₂ (4.9mmoles, 3 mole percent) and 1.1 g of PPh₃ (recrystallized from ethanol).The reactor is then sealed and attached to a CO cylinder. The mixture ispurged with 600 psig CO three times while stirring, and finallypressurized and held at 600 psig CO. The temperature is raised to 125°C., and held under these conditions overnight (approximately 16 hours).After this time, the unreacted CO is vented, and the reaction vessel iscooled to ambient temperature. The methanol solution is diluted with 200ml of water, and the product extracted with 3×150 ml of CH₂ Cl₂. Themethylene chloride solution is then washed with 250 ml of water, 250 mlof HCl (5 percent), 250 ml of water, 250 ml of NaHCO₃ (saturated), 250ml of water, and dried over MgSO₄. The methylene chloride solution ischecked for conversion by gas chromatographic analysis, and thecomposition is discovered to be 97 percent4-carbomethoxybenzocyclobutene. The solvent is then removed bydistillation, and the product is then purified by vacuum distillation at66° C.-67° C., 1 mm Hg vacuum.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of benzocyclobutene 4-carboxylic acid byhydrolysis of 4-carbomethoxybenzocyclobutene

A 500-ml round-bottom, single-neck flask is equipped with magneticstirrer and reflux condenser attached to a nitrogen line with T mineraloil bubbler. To this flask is added 10 g of4-carbomethoxybenzocyclobutene (m.w. 162.19 g, 0.062 mole) and 190 ml ofmethyl alcohol (Burdick & Jackson brand). This solution is stirred, andto it is added 60 ml of aqueous NaOH solution containing 7.5 g of NaOH(m.w. 39.998, 0.188 moles). This mixture is stirred at room temperaturefor one hour, after which the solution is transferred into a 1000-mlseparatory funnel. The strongly alkaline solution is first diluted with250 ml of water, and washed with 250 ml of CH₂ Cl₂. The aqueous solutionis then drained into a large beaker and acidified with concentrated HCluntil the solution is strongly acidic. The acid, which forms a whiteprecipitate upon acidification, is then extracted with 3×250 ml of CH₂Cl₂. The methylene chloride solution is dried over MgSO₄ and the solventremoved via rotary evaporation. The carboxylic acid (8.95 g) isrecovered as a white solid (98 percent of theoretical yield).

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of benzocyclobutene acid chloride and reactionthereof with a diamine

4-Carbomethoxybenzocyclobutene (29.2 g) is hydrolyzed tobenzocyclobutene-4 carboxylic acid using the procedure given underExample 8. The acid is dried and added to 50 ml of freshly distilledthionyl chloride in a 500-ml single-neck flask equipped with a refluxcondenser, nitrogen blanket and magnetic stirrer. The mixture isrefluxed under nitrogen for 1/2 hour. The excess thionyl chloride isremoved with a vacuum pump leaving the so produced acid chloride as abrown oil. The product weighs 28.6 g and is used without furtherpurification. The acid chloride is dissolved in 100 ml of methylenechloride and added to a 2-liter three-neck flask equipped with athermometer port (the 2-liter flask and accessories are dried with aheat gun prior to adding the acid chloride). The flask is then equippedwith a reflux condenser topped with a nitrogen line and mineral oilbubbler, an addition funnel fitted with a septum and a thermocoupleprobe placed in the thermometer port. Triethylamine (20 g) is then addedto the flask. Heptamethylene diamine (10.6 g) is weighed out into abottle in a dry box and the bottle capped with a septum. The diamine isdiluted with 100 ml of methylene chloride and transferred via a syringeto the addition funnel. The diamine solution is then added dropwise tothe reaction mixture. After this addition, the addition funnel is filledwith methylene chloride and this is also added to the reaction mixture.This rinsing procedure is then repeated a second time. Finally, thereaction mixture is heated at reflux for 16 hours. The mixture is cooledto room temperature and poured into a separatory funnel. The mixture isthen washed successively with 500 ml of water, 500 ml of 5 percenthydrochloric acid, 500 ml of water, 500 ml of saturated sodiumbicarbonate and finally dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Themethylene chloride is evaporated off to give the product as a lightbrown solid. This is diluted with 250 ml of toluene and heated. Thesolution is then filtered (after cooling for 15 minutes) and the solidremoved through this filtration is again dissolved in 250 ml of toluene.This solution is also heated, cooled for 15 minutes and filtered(suction). The solid removed by this filtration shows no coloration upondilution with toluene so the solid is removed by suction filtration anddried in vacuo. The final weight of the product is 24.58 g resulting ina 77.2 percent yield based on the amount of diamine added.

Example 10 Preparation of diamide monomers ##STR33## wherein n is thenumber of carbons between the carboxyl groups. (a) n=2

5-Amino-1-cyanobenzocyclobutene (hereinafter called Compound A) (12.58g, 0.089 mole) and triethylamine (7.05 g, 0.07 mole) are dissolved in300 ml of methylene chloride. The solution is cooled to 0° C. in an icebath, with stirring unger argon. A solution of 6.91 g (0.045 mole)succinyl chloride in 100 ml of methylene chloride is added dropwise tothe cooled solution. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at0° C. after the addition is complete. The reaction mixture is thenwarmed to room temperature and is poured into 400 ml of water. Themixture is extracted 3 times with 250-ml portions of methylene chloride.The combined methylene chloride extracts are washed once with 400 ml ofa 5 percent hydrochloric acid solution. The methylene chloride layer iswashed with 400 ml of water. Next, the methylene chloride solution iswashed with 400 ml of saturated sodium bicarbonate and finally with 400ml of water. The methylene chloride is removed under vacuum to give theproduct as a gray solid. Yield is 10 g or 60.6 percent.

(b) n=3

This monomer is prepared as under (a) using different amounts ofreactants and is run in a nitrogen atmosphere. Compound A (12.13 g,0.086 mole) and triethylamine (8.7 g, 0.086 mole) are dissolved in 300ml of methylene chloride. Glutaryl chloride (6.61 g, 0.038 mole) isdissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride and is added dropwise to thereaction mixture. The reaction is run and worked up the same as under(a) except that the methylene chloride solution is dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate, filtered and then concentrated under vacuum. Theproduct is a green solid. The yield is 13 g, 86.6 percent.

(c) n=4

This monomer is prepared in the same manner as described in (a) usingdifferent amounts of reactants and is run in a nitrogen atmosphere.Compound A (11.7 g, 0.083 mole) and triethylamine (8.4 g, 0.083 mole)are dissolved in 300 ml of methylene chloride. Adipoyl chloride (6.90 g,0.038 mole) is dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride and is addeddropwise to the mixture. The workup of the reaction mixture is the sameas under (b), obtaining 14.7 g (98 percent) of a white solid.

The product is recrystallized from ethanol to give 8 g (53.3 percentyield) of solid.

(d) n=5

Thionyl chloride (5.12 g, 0.043 mole) is added dropwise under nitrogento 20 ml of dry N,N-dimethylformamide which is cooled and stirred for 30minutes at 0° C. in an ice bath. Pimelic acid (3.20 g, 0.020 mole) isdissolved in 15 ml of dry N,N-dimethylformamide and is added dropwise tothe cooled reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is stirred anadditional 30 minutes and then is warmed to room temperature and isstirred another 30 minutes, then again is cooled to 0° C. in an icebath. Compound A (6.77 g, 0.047 mole) and triethylamine (6.06 g, 0.060mole) are dissolved in 20 ml of dry N,N-dimethylformamide. This solutionis then added dropwise to the cooled reaction mixture. The reactionmixture is slowly warmed to room temperature overnight. The reactionmixture is poured into 500 ml of water and is stirred for 30 minutes.Next, the water layer is extracted then washed twice with 200-mlportions of chloroform. The chloroform washes are combined and washedonce with 300 ml of a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and oncewith 300 ml of water. The chloroform solution is washed once with 300 mlof a 10 percent hydrochloric acid solution and finally with 300 ml ofwater. The chloroform solution is then dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The product obtained iscolumn chromatographed over silica gel using ethyl acetate as theeluting solvent. A yellow colored solid is obtained.

(e) n=6

This monomer is prepared by the same procedure that is used under (d)except that 0.02 mole suberic acid was employed, and 0.048 mole ofCompound A and 0.061 mole of triethylamine are dissolved in 15 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamide and are added to the cooled reaction mixture. Awhite solid is obtained.

(f) n=7

This monomer is prepared by the method used under (d). Thionyl chloride(4.53 g, 0.038 mole) is added while stirring to 20 ml of dryN,N-dimethylformamide. Azelaic acid (3.33 g, 0.018 mole) is dissolved in15 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide and is added to the reaction mixture at0° C. The reaction mixture is then stirred as indicated previously under(d). Compound A (6.0 g, 0.042 mole) and triethylamine (5.37 g, 0.053mole) are dissolved in 15 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide and added dropwiseto the cooled reaction which is worked up as in (d), obtaining a brownsolid.

(g) n=8

This preparation involves dissolving Compound A (1.41 g, 0.01 mole) andpyridine (1.0 g, 0.013 mole) in 35 ml of methylene chloride. Thissolution is cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath with stirring under nitrogen.Sebacoyl chloride (1.20 g, 0.005 mole) is dissolved in 15 ml ofmethylene chloride and is added dropwise to the cooled solution. Thereaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. and is warmed toroom temperature. The reaction mixture is poured into 100 ml of waterand is extracted 3 times with 50-ml portions of methylene chloride. Themethylene chloride extracts are combined and washed once with 100 ml ofa 5 percent hydrochloric acid solution. The methylene chloride solutionis then washed with 100 ml of water and is dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate. The solution is filtered and concentrated undervacuum to obtain a white-colored solid. The solid product is dried undera vacuum overnight.

Example 11 Preparation of bisbenzocyclobutene with a diamido bridgingmember ##STR34##

The general reaction sequence is to react benzocyclobutene 4-carboxylicacid with 1,1-carbonyl diimidazole to give an imidazole derivative whichis further reacted with a polyalkyene diamine to result in the bis-amidemonomer.

(a) n=3

1,1-Carbonyldiimidazole (2.64 g, 0.016 mole) is dissolved in 45 ml ofdry tetrahydrofuran and stirred under nitrogen at room temperature. Thebenzocyclobutene 4-carboxylic acid (2.37 g, 0.016 mole) is dissolved in45 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran and added dropwise to the stirred imidazolesolution at room temperature. The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes atroom temperature and then heated at reflux overnight. The mixture isthen cooled to room temperature and a solution of 1,3-propanediamine(0.53 g, 0.0072 mole) in 25 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran added dropwise.After this addition, the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 11/2hours and then heated to reflux overnight. The mixture is cooled to roomtemperature and poured into 300 ml of water with stirring. The mixtureis extracted with three 200-ml portions of methylene chloride. Themethylene chloride extracts are combined and washed with three 400-mlportions of a 10 percent hydrochloric acid solution. Next, the methylenechloride extract is washed with one 500-ml portion of water followed bytwo washings with 400-ml portions of saturated sodium bicarbonate.Finally, the methylene chloride extract is washed with two 500-mlportions of water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Themagnesium sulfate is filtered off and the filtrate evaporated to yield2.5 g of crude product. This is recrystallized from ethanol to yield 1.5g (0.0045 mole) of pure product. The melting point of the product is172° C.-178° C.

(b) n=5

The same procedure and workup is used as in the preceding example. Thequantities of reactants and product are: benzocyclobutene 4-carboxylicacid (2.22 g, 0.015 mole); 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole (2.38 g, 0.0147mole); 1,5-pentanediamine (0.72 g, 0.0071 mole); and product weight (1.8g, 0.0049 mole). The melting point is 181° C.-185° C.

(c) n=6

The same procedure and workup is used as in the procedure where n=3. Thequantities of reactants and product are: benzocyclobutene 4-carboxylicacid (2.22 g, 0.015 mole); 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole (2.43 g, 0.015 mole);1,6-hexanediamine (0.79 g, 0.0068 mole); and product weight (0.65 g,0.0017 mole). The melting point is 185° C.-194° C.

(d) n=7

The same procedure and workup is used as in the procedure where n=3. Thequantities of reactants and product are: benzocyclobutene 4-carboxylicacid (2.22 g, 0.015 mole); 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole (2.48 g, 0.015 mole);1,7-heptanediamine (0.99 g, 0.0076 mole); and product weight (0.6 g,0.0015 mole). The melting point is 141° C.-145° C.

(e) n=8

The same procedure and workup is used as for the procedure where n=3.The quantities of reactants and product are: benzocyclobutene4-carboxylic acid (1.48 g, 0.01 mole); 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole (1.62 g,0.01 mole); 1,8-octanediamine (0.65 g, 0.0045 mole); and product weight(0.5 g, 0.0012 mole). The melting point is 172° C.-176° C.

Example 12 Formation of ##STR35##

A 2000-ml three-neck, round-bottom flask is equipped with magneticstirrer, 125-ml addition funnel, reflux condenser with nitrogen blanket,and stopper. To this system is added 25.62 g of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A, m.w. 228.3 g, 0.1122 mole), 24.0 g of (CH₃ CH₂)₃N (0.238 mole, m.w. 101 freshly distilled over Na metal), and 600 ml ofCH₂ Cl₂ (Burdick and Jackson brand). This flask is now cooled with anice water bath to 10° C., with stirring, and 38.78 g of benzocyclobutene4-acid chloride (m.w. 166.5 g, 0.233 mole) in 75 ml of CH₂ Cl₂ isentered into the addition funnel. This solution is added dropwise to thestirring bisphenol A solution. When all of the acid chloride solutionhas been added, the addition funnel is washed with 2×100 ml of CH₂ Cl₂.The reaction mixture is then allowed to stir overnight. The mixture isthen entered into a separatory funnel and washed with 500 ml of water,500 ml of HCl (5 percent), 500 ml of water, 500 ml of NaHCO₃(saturated), 500 ml of water, and dried over MgSO₄. The mixture is thenchecked by HPLC to determine the relative purity of the monomerproduced. The methylene chloride is removed via rotary evaporation andthe resultant off-white solid is recrystallized from 600 ml of acetone.The first crop of white crystals is removed from solution via filtrationand the solution remaining is concentrated to 250 ml and againrecrystallized. The second crop of crystals is also isolated viafiltration and the remaining solvent is removed to leave a light brownresidue. Final weights and purity (by HPLC) are as follows: first crop,42.10 g, 99.8 percent; second crop, 6.07 g, 99.3 percent; residue, 6.6g. Yield is 88 percent of theoretical.

Example 13 Preparation of monomers corresponding to the formula##STR36## (a) q=3

A 25-ml flask equipped with a reflux condenser, nitrogen inlet, andmagnetic stirring bar is charged with m-dibromobenzene (1.0 g, 4.2×10⁻³m), m-divinylbenzene (2.75 g, 2.1×10⁻² m), tri-n-butylamine (8.4×10⁻³m), tri-o-tolylphosphine (64 mg, 2.1×10⁻⁴ m), palladium (II) acetate (20mg, 8.4×10⁻⁵ m), and acetonitrile (10 ml). The mixture is stirred undernitrogen and heated to reflux for 2 hours. The grey slurry is cooled toroom temperature and stirred into 60 ml of 10 percent hydrochloric acid.The resulting precipitate is collected by filtration, washed with water,and air dried. This product is dissolved in ethylacetate, filtered, andthe solvent evaporated to yield a yellow residue. Recrystallization ofthe residue from heptane gives 0.60 g (42 percent yield) of a compoundof the formula ##STR37## hereinafter referred to as determinal olefin,with a melting point of 105° C.

A 25-ml flask equipped with a reflux condenser, nitrogen inlet andmagnetic stirring bar is charged with 4-bromobenzocyclobutene (1.5 g,8×10⁻³ moles), the determinal olefin from part A (1.34 g, 4×10⁻³ moles),tri-n-butylamine (1.8 g, 9.7×10⁻³ moles), tri-o-tolylphosphine (62 mg,4.0×10⁻⁴ moles), palladium II acetate (18 mg, 8.0×10⁻⁵ moles) andacetonitrile (5 ml). The reaction mixture is heated to reflux undernitrogen for 4 hours. The mixture is cooled to room temperature andstirred into 60 ml of 10 percent hydrochloric acid. The precipitate iscollected by filtration, washed with water and air dried. The driedprecipitate is then dissolved in 150 ml of boiling toluene, filtered hotand cooled to yield 310 mg of the product q=3. The monomer has a meltingpoint of 180° C.-215° C.

(b) q=1

A 25-ml flask equipped with a reflux condenser, nitrogen inlet, andmagnetic stirring bar is charged with 4-bromobenzocyclobutene (1.50 g,8.0×10⁻³ m), m-divinylbenzene (4.0×10⁻³ m), tri-n-butylamine (1.8 g,9.7×10⁻³ m), tri-o-tolylphosphine (62 mg, 4.0×10⁻⁴ m), palladium (II)acetate (18 mg, 8.0×10⁻⁵ m), and acetonitrile (5 ml). The reactionmixture is heated to reflux under nitrogen with stirring for 4 hours.The solidified mixture is cooled to room temperature and stirred into 60ml of 10 percent hydrochloric acid. The resulting precipitate iscollected by filtration, washed with water, and air dried.

The precipitate is dissolved in 75 ml of boiling ethylacetate, filteredhot, and cooled to yield 800 mg (60 percent) of the desired monomer witha melting point of 150° C.-152° C.

Example 14

The monomers prepared in Example 10 are tested for melting temperatureand polymerization temperature as indicated by the onset and peakexotherm temperature as measured by differential scanning colorimetry(DSC).

The results are in the following table:

    ______________________________________                                        Monomer                                                                       Melting                                                                       Point         Polymerization Temperature (°C.)                         n     (°C.)                                                                              DSC Onset    DSC Peak                                       ______________________________________                                        2     >245        195          209                                            3     121         175          202                                            4     173         182          203                                            5      60         189          213                                            6     157         185          213                                            7      61         183          214                                            8     171         overlaps M.P.                                                                              206                                            ______________________________________                                    

For melt polymerization it is preferable that the monomer melt at a muchlower temperature than that at which it polymerizes and thatpolymerization occurs by elevating the temperature of the melt. For thatpurpose, the monomers where n is an odd number are preferred.

The temperature at which polymerization begins and the maximumtemperature of polymerization are relatively unaffected by the size ofn. The polymers show comparable thermal stability at 400° C.

Example 15 Polymerization of monomer prepared by process of Example 10(g)

Into a 10-ml, round-bottom flask connected to a vacuum line is placed2.5 g of the powdered monomer of Example 10 (g). The flask is evacuatedand is immersed in a Woods metal bath at 90° C. The temperature isslowly raised to 250° C. over one hour and is held at that temperaturefor 15 minutes. The flask is then cooled and broken open to remove thesolid block of polymer.

Example 16 Preparation of a coating using monomer of Example 10 (g)

One gram of the monomer of Example 10 (g) is dissolved in 15 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamide and is coated on Bonderite 1000 treated steelpanels with a 0.010 inch draw bar. The panels are then air dried at roomtemperature for 11/2 hours. Final traces of solvent are removed byheating in a vacuum oven at 70° C. for one hour. The monomer coatedplates are then heated in an air oven at 250° C. for one hour to effectpolymerization. The polymer coating is brown, glossy, flexible andexhibits a Knoop hardness of 37.

Example 17

When the monomers prepared in Example 11 are tested according to theprocedures of Example 14, the following results are obtained.

    ______________________________________                                        Monomer                                                                       Melting                                                                       Point         Polymerization Temperature (°C.)                         n     (°C.)                                                                              DSC Onset    DSC Peak                                       ______________________________________                                        3     175         240          271                                            5     181         241          271                                            6     187         240          271                                            7     142         240          272                                            8     174         239          272                                            ______________________________________                                    

Example 18 Polymerization of benzocyclobutene/bisphenol A ester monomer

The monomer is devolatilized at 100° C. and 0.5 mm Hg vacuum for twohours, cooled and the vacuum is backlet with nitrogen. The devolatilizedmonomer (0.5 g) is then transferred to a test tube with a ground glassjoint, and equipped with a gas inlet tube topped with T and mineral oilbubbler for nitrogen blanket. The test tube is then placed in a Woodsmetal bath at 100° C. and slowly taken up to 250° C. The temperature ofthe Woods metal bath is held at between 245° C.-250° C. for 90 minutes.At the end of this time the test tube is removed from the bath andallowed to cool, still under nitrogen blanket. When cool to the touch,the gas inlet tube is removed and the polymer that remains in the tubeis examined. The piece is light yellow in color, contains some voids,and cannot be fractured with a spatula to remove it from the tube.

Example 19

The following monomers are tested according to the procedures of Example14. The results are compiled in Table III. ##STR38##

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                               Melting                                                                              Polymerization Temperature (°C.)                         Monomer  Point    DSC Onset    DSC Peak                                       ______________________________________                                        Series A                                                                      p = 5    161-163  200          270.sup.1                                      p = 7    163-165  200          270.sup.1                                      p = 8    174-177  200          270.sup.1                                      B        137      200          260.sup.2                                      C         83      200          260.sup.2                                       D*      none                  complex                                         E*      none                  complex                                        F        67-78    200          261.sup.2                                      G        224      200          260.sup.2                                      ______________________________________                                         *No melting point observed. A complex differential scanning colorimetry       exotherm was observed.                                                        .sup.1 Heating rate 20° C./minute.                                     .sup.2 Heating rate 10° C./minute.                                

Example 20 Melt polymerization of monomer prepared by method describedin Example 11 (d)

A mold with a brass cylinder of dimensions 21/8 inch diameter, length 6inches, 0.313 bore which has one end fitted with a loading head, has amovable piston in the bore and heating bands on the mold, is firstcoated with a mold release agent. The liquid monomer (7.15 g) is meltedinto the mold at 165° C. The mold plus the monomer is cooled to roomtemperature. The loading head is replaced by a valve head which isattached to the mold and the mold is thereafter purged with nitrogen andheated to 165° C. The gas phase is expelled, the valve head is closedand the liquid monomer is put under pressure of 1290 psi. The moldtemperature is raised to 200° C. for 5 minutes, thereafter to 225° C.for 10 minutes, thereafter to 240° C. for 20 minutes, and thereafter to250° C. for 3 hours. The mold is cooled in 50° increments. At 35° C. thepressure is released on the piston. The product is a rod of finishedpolymer which is 4.5 inches long and 0.313 inch in diameter which isclear yellow in color.

The polymer prepared in this example demonstrates a 5 percent weightloss at 300° C. after 50 hours in nitrogen. It further demonstrates ahardness of SHORE D equals 90. The tensile strength is 12,000 psi atroom temperature and 5,000 to 7,000 psi at 150° C., and it demonstratesa 5 percent elongation at break at 150° C. The rod shows a tensilemodulus of 4.7×10⁵ at room temperature and 2.2×10⁵ at 200° C. Thethermal coefficient of expansion of the rod is, at 25° C. to 250° C.,4.14×10⁻⁵ inch per inch per °C., and from 250° C. to 325° C., 9.8×10⁻⁵inch per inch per °C. The rod has a density of 1.16 g per cm². The rodis subjected to cyclical stress of 2500 to 3000 psi at 150° C. for 250cycles and there is no evidence of failure.

Example 21 Melt polymerization of monomer B from Example 19

The same molding equipment as described in Example 19, is loaded with6.72 g of monomer B at 165° C. The mold temperature is raised to 180° C.and the valve head is closed. The mold temperature is raised to 190° C.and the monomer is put under pressure of 2410 psi. The mold temperaturethereafter was raised to 250° C. in 10° increments wherein eachtemperature was held for 10 minutes. Thereafter the mold was held at atemperature of 250° C. for 3 hours. The mold is cooled to below 35° C.in 25° C. increments, each temperature increment is held for 10 to 15minutes. The valve head is removed and a polymer rod with a length of4.25 inches and 5/16 diameter which is translucent and yellow in colorresults. The polymer demonstrates a 5 percent weight loss after 65 hoursin air at 300° C. A water absorption test demonstrates a 0.35 weightpercent pickup after 24 hours in water at 25° C. Further, a water pickupof 1.5 weight percent after 96 hours in water at 95° C. is shown. Thethermal coefficient of expansion from 25° C. to 325° C. is 5.2×10⁻⁵inches per inch per °C.

Example 22 Preparation of film from the monomer prepared by processdescribed in Example 10(g)

A monomer (0.5 g) prepared by the method described in Example 10(g) isdissolved in 2 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide. The solution is coated ontoaluminum plates with a 0.010 inch draw bar. The plate is placed in anair oven at 250° C. for one hour. The polymer coating which is formed issmooth, glassy, dark amber in color, has a Knoop hardness of 34 and theplate can be bent 90° without cracking the coating. The coating is onlyslightly swollen by immersion in dimethyl sulfoxide overnight. Thecoating is mechanically peeled off of one aluminum plate to give aflexible film of 0.001 inch thickness. The film has a tensile strengthof 12,000 psi at room temperature and a 5 percent elongation at break.The tensile modulus is 350,000. The film demonstrates no failure aftercycling it under 6,000 to 8,000 psi load for 100 cycles at roomtemperature.

Example 23 Use of monomer prepared by the method described in Example11(d) as an adhesive

A one-inch square on the end of a steel coupon of 4 inches by 1 inch by0.060 thickness is covered with powdered monomer prepared by the methoddescribed in Example 11(d). This is overlapped with a second coupon ofthe same size. A one-inch square of the second coupon's end is coveredwith a powdered monomer and this is overlapped with a third coupon ofthe same size. These coupons are overlapped in a manner such that thereis a one-inch square of each in contact with one of the others whereinpowdered monomer is between the overlapped plates. A weight is placed onthe joint and the plates are thereafter heated in an air oven at 250° C.for 1.5 hours. Thereafter the lap shear force needed to pull the couponsapart is measured. Table IV demonstrates the joint thickness and lapshear of six such adhesivated coupons.

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                                              average                                                                       joint                                                           weight*       thickness                                                                              lap shear                                      Sample  (lb)          (inches) (lb)                                           ______________________________________                                        1       1             0.0075   4,600                                          2       1             0.0085   3,000                                          3       1             0.0075   3,100                                          4       7             0.006    2,900                                          5       7             0.005    3,300                                          6       7             0.004    3,700                                          ______________________________________                                         *Weight on joint during curing.                                          

Example 24 Formation of prepolymer from monomer prepared by methoddescribed in Example 11(d)

Under vacuum 8.3 g of the monomer prepared by the process described inExample 11(d) is devolatilized. The monomer is thereafter heated undernitrogen at 200° C. for 10 minutes, and then at 220° C. for 16 minutes.The reaction product is cooled to room temperature. The prepolymer is ayellow glass, which is thereafter broken up into a powder.

Example 25 Compression molding of prepolymer from Example 24

A rectangular compression mold (1.9×10.2 cm) was coated with a moldrelease agent. Into the mold is placed 6.3 g of the powdered prepolymerfrom Example 23. The mold is closed and placed in press. Thirteenhundred pounds of pressure is applied and the mold is heated to 200° C.The pressure is increased to 20,000 pounds and the mold temperature israised to 230° C. Thereafter the mold is heated to 240° C. over a30-minute period and held at such temperature for one hour. Thereafterthe mold is cooled to room temperature.

The molded polymer is yellow brown in color and translucent. It has adensity of 1.16 g per cm³ and a hardness of 90 (shore d). The polymerhas a tensile strength of 3800 psi at 20° C. and a tensile modulus of3.8×10⁵. The elongation at break is 5 percent and the coefficient ofthermal expansion from 20° C. to 200° C. is 4.9×10⁻⁵. The water pickupat 100° C. is about 3 weight percent.

Example 26 Preparation of prepolymer by precipitation polymerization ofmonomer prepared by method of Example 11(d)

Biphenyl (50 g) is melted and heated to 100° C. under nitrogen. To thesolution is added 2.0 g of the monomer prepared by the process describedin Example 11(d). The mixture is heated to 230° C. and held for 5.5hours. During this time, the prepolymer precipitates out of solution.The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, and thereafterwarmed slightly to liquefy the biphenyl. Toluene is added and theprepolymer is filtered off. The prepolymer is thereafter washed withtoluene and dried under vacuum.

Example 27 Polymerization of prepolymer prepared in Example 26

A mold which is a steel cylinder with a 0.5 inch diameter bore with twoflat pistons that match the bore is used in this example. The mold andpistons are treated with a mold release agent. One piston is placed intothe mold and 0.5 g of prepolymer is added. The second piston is placedon top of the monomer and the assembly placed in a press. Pressure (7.5tons) is applied to the pistons. The mold is heated to 170° C.Thereafter the pressure is increased to 10 tons and the temperature isheld at 170° C. for 30 minutes. Thereafter the temperature is raised to250° C. and held for 2 hours. The mold is thereafter cooled and thepolymer disc is removed.

The polymers prepared in this method are amber and translucent. Thepolymer disc exhibits a 4 percent weight loss at 400° C. in nitrogen.The coefficient of thermal expansion of the polymer is 1×10⁻⁴ inch perinch per °C. from 25° C. to 125° C.; from 125° C. to 225° C. 20×10⁻⁴inch per inch per °C.; and from 225° C. to 300° C. 3×10⁻⁴ inch per inchper °C.

Example 28 Solution polymerization of the monomer prepared by theprocess described in Example 11(d)

In 10 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone is dissolved 2.0 g of monomer. Tothis solution is added 0.5 g of lithium chloride. The mixture is stirredand refluxed under nitrogen for 5 hours. Thereafter the solution iscooled to room temperature and the mixture is poured into 250 ml ofwater. The polymer precipitates upon addition to the water. The polymeris filtered off and vacuum dried at 150° C.

Example 29 Solid state polymerization of monomer (d) from Example 19

One gram of the solid monomer (d) as described in Example 18 is placedin a flask, the monomer is heated to 250° C. under vacuum and held therefor 1/2 hour. The polymer prepared is thereafter cooled to roomtemperature. The resultant polymer is a powder.

Example 30 Preparation of vinyl bridged benzocyclobutene

A 25-ml flask equipped with a reflux condenser, nitrogen inlet, andmagnetic stirring bar is charged with 4-bromobenzocyclobutene (2.39 g,1.31×10⁻² m), 4-vinylbenzocyclobutene (1.70 g, 1.31×10⁻² m),tri-n-butylamine (2.42 g, 1.31×10⁻² m), tri-o-tolylphosphine (100 mg,3.3×10⁻⁴ m), palladium (II) acetate (29 mg, 1.31×10⁻⁴ m), andacetonitrile (10 ml). The reaction mixture is heated to reflux undernitrogen with stirring for 4 hours. The solution is thereafter cooled toroom temperature and stirred into 60 ml of a 10 percent hydrochlorideacid solution. The resulting precipitate is collected by filtration,washed with water, and air dried. This yellow crystalline material isrecrystallized from heptane/ethylacetate to yield 2.0 g (66 percent) ofa vinyl bridged bis(benzocyclobutene) with a melting point of 132°C.-133° C.

Example 31 Preparation of an ethane bridged bis-benzocyclobutene)

A Parr hydrogenator bottle is charged with a vinyl bridgedbis(benzocyclobutene) (660 mg, 2.8×10⁻³ m), absolute ethanol (100 ml), 5percent palladium-on-carbon (60 mg), and 50 psi of hydrogen. After 6hours, the catalyst is removed by filtration, and the solvent isevaporated. The white residue is recrystallized from heptane to yield560 mg (85 percent) of ethane bridged bis(benzocyclobutene) with amelting point of 86° C.-87° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A polymeric composition which comprises thereaction product prepared by exposing one or more poly(arylcyclobutenes)which comprise two or more aryl moieties with one or more cyclobutanerings fused to each aryl moiety, wherein the aryl moieties are directlybonded to one another or are connected by a bridging member wherein thebridging member is (1) a polyvalent inorganic radical or (2) apolyvalent organic radical, to temperatures at which thepoly(arylcyclobutenes) undergo polymerization.
 2. The polymericcomposition of claim 1 wherein the polymerization temperature is about30° C. or greater.
 3. The polymeric composition of claim 2 wherein thepolymerization temperature is 150° C. or greater.
 4. The polymericcomposition of claim 2 wherein the aryl moieties are connected by adirect bond or the bridging member is a polyvalent organic radical. 5.The polymeric composition of claim 4 wherein the polyvalent organicradical comprises (a) a hydrocarbon poly-yl or heteroatom-containinghydrocarbon poly-yl, or (b) a hydrocarbon poly-yl orheteroatom-containing hydrocarbon poly-yl which is bonded to polyvalentmoieties which are capable of linking the hydrocarbon poly-yl orheteroatom-containing hydrocarbon poly-yl radicals to the aryl moietiesof the arylcyclobutene radicals.
 6. The polymeric composition of claim 5wherein the polyvalent linking moiety is an oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen,phosphorus, oxycarbonyl, carbonyl, carbonyloxycarbonyl, carboxamido,carbonyldioxy, imido, cyclic imido, carboxamideoxy, ammonium carboxylatesalt or ureylene moiety.
 7. The polymeric composition of claim 6 whereinthe linking moiety is oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, carbonyloxy,carboxamido, carbonyldioxy, or cyclic imido.
 8. The polymericcomposition of claim 7 wherein the hydrocarbon poly-yl is alkar-poly-yl,alk-poly-yl, alkene-poly-yl, ar-poly-yl or alkenear-poly-yl.
 9. Thepolymeric composition of claim 8 wherein the hydrocarbon poly-yl is aC₁₋₂₀ alk-poly-yl, ar-poly-yl, alkenear-poly-yl or alkene-poly-yl. 10.The polymeric composition of claim 9 wherein the hydrocarbon poly-yl isC₂₋₁₀ alk-poly-yl or C₂₋₁₀ alkene-poly-yl, or an alkenear-poly-ylwherein the alkene moieties are vinylene and the aryl moieties arebenzene radicals.
 11. The polymeric composition of claim 9 wherein thearyl moiety is a benzene moiety.
 12. The polymeric composition of claim11 which comprises two benzocyclobutene radicals bridged by a divalentorganic radical.
 13. The polymeric composition of claim 12 wherein thedivalent organic radical is a hydrocarbylene, dicarbonyloxyhydrocarbylene, dicarboxamido hydrocarbylene, dicarbonyldioxyhydrocarbylene, dioxyhydrocarbylene, or dithiohydrocarbylene radical.14. The polymeric composition of claim 13 wherein the divalent organicradical is dicarbonyl hydrocarbylene, dicarboxamido hydrocarbylene orhydrocarbylene.
 15. A polymeric composition which comprises the reactionproduct prepared by exposing one or more compounds which correspond tothe formula ##STR39## wherein B is a direct bond between the arylmoieties or bridging member which comprises (1) a polyvalent inorganicradical, or (2) a polyvalent organic radical;R is separately in eachoccurrence hydrogen, an electron-withdrawing substituent or anelectron-donating substituent; Ar is an aromatic radical which may besubstituted with an electron-withdrawing substituent; m is an integer of1 or greater; and n is an integer of 2 or greater,with the proviso thatB can be a direct bond only when n is equal to 2; to temperatures atwhich the compound undergoes polymerization.
 16. The polymericcomposition of claim 15 wherein Ar is benzene, naphthalene, biphenyl,binaphthyl or a diphenylalkane radical.
 17. The polymeric composition ofclaim 16 wherein Ar is benzene.
 18. The polymeric composition of claim17 which comprises the reaction product of one or more compounds whichcorrespond to the formula ##STR40## wherein B is a direct bond or is abridging member which comprises (1) an n valent inorganic radical, or(2) an n valent organic radical;R is separately in each occurrencehydrogen or an electron-withdrawing substituent or electron-donatingsubstituent; a is separately in each occurrence the integer 0, 1, 2 or3; and n is an integer of 2 or greater.
 19. The polymeric composition ofclaim 18 wherein B is a polyvalent organic radical which comprises (a) ahydrocarbon poly-yl or a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon poly-yl, or(b) a hydrocarbon poly-yl or heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon poly-ylwhich is bonded to polyvalent moieties which are capable of linking thehydrocarbon poly-yl or heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon poly-yl to thearyl moieties of the arylcyclobutene radicals.
 20. The polymericcomposition of claim 19 wherein B is (a) a moiety which corresponds tothe formula X--Z--_(n) wherein X is an n valent hydrocarbon poly-ylradical or a hydrocarbon poly-yl radical which contains a heteroatom,and Z is a moiety which is capable of linking the hydrocarbon poly-ylradical to an aromatic radical of the arylcyclobutene, or (b) ahydrocarbon poly-yl.
 21. The polymeric composition of claim 20 wherein Xis an n valent hydrocarbon poly-yl radical; and Z is O, S, N, P,##STR41##
 22. The polymeric composition of claim 21 wherein Z is O, S,##STR42##
 23. The polymeric composition of claim 22 wherein n is 2 or 3.24. The polymeric composition of claim 23 wherein n is
 2. 25. Thepolymeric composition of claim 24 prepared from monomers whichcorrespond to one of the formulas ##STR43##
 26. The polymericcomposition of claim 25 wherein X is an alk-poly-yl, cycloalk-poly-yl,ar-poly-yl, alkar-poly-yl, biaromatic alkylene bridged poly-yl orbiaromatic cycloalkylene poly-yl radical.
 27. The polymeric compositionof claim 26 wherein X is --CH₂ --_(p), ##STR44## a phenylene orbiphenylene radical, or a cycloaliphatic moiety wherein Y is a C₁₋₂₀alkylene or C₁₋₂₀ cycloalkylene radical, and p is an integer of 2 to 20.28. The polymeric composition of claim 26 wherein X is --CH₂ --_(p),phenylene, ##STR45## wherein p is an integer of between 2 and
 10. 29.The polymeric composition of claim 19 wherein the bridging member is apolyvalent organic bridging member which corresponds to theformula--R³)_(r) (Ar--R³)_(r))_(q), --CH₂ --_(p) or --CH═CH((CH₂)_(p)CH═CH--_(s) wherein Ar is an aromatic radical; R³ is separately in eachoccurrence an alkylene, alkenylene, or cycloalkylene moiety; p is aninteger of about 0 to about 20; q is an integer of 1 or greater; r isthe integer 0 or 1; and s is an integer of about 0 to about
 20. 30. Thepolymeric composition of claim 29 wherein the polyvalent organicbridging member corresponds to the formula ##STR46## wherein p is aninteger of between about 2 and 10, q is an integer of between about 1and 20 and s is an integer of about 0 to
 10. 31. A polymeric compositionwhich comprises units of the formulas ##STR47## wherein B is a directbond or bridging member which comprises (1) a polyvalent inorganicradical, or (2) a polyvalent organic radical;Ar is an aromatic radicalwhich may be substituted; R is separately in each occurrence hydrogen oran electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituent; m is aninteger of 1 or more; and n is an integer of 2 or more,with the provisothat B can only be a direct bond wherein n is
 2. 32. The polymericcomposition of claim 31 which comprises units of the formulas ##STR48##wherein B is a direct bond or bridging member which comprises (1) apolyvalent inorganic radical, or (2) a polyvalent organic radical;R isseparately in each occurrence hydrogen or an electron-withdrawing orelectron-donating substituent; and a is separately in each occurrencethe integer of 0, 1, 2 or 3.